{Escaped;}

Chapter Five; Changing.

{Lola's POV}

Since it was not time yet and training was just over, I decided to read about faeries. What harm can it do to know more about them?

I headed to the library. Unlocking the cabinet and grabbing that familiar pinkish-purple winged book inside, plonked into a black and white beanbag and began to read.

About.

Faeries are fallen angels. Born as an offspring of angels and demons, faeries have a pretty face but wicked heart. Faeries are unable to lie. They live for around a few hundreds of years. Humans can join faerie revels if a token is given or they come with a companion. Faeries live in a Fey circle, the smallest circle with a radius of approximately 23km. Faeries' powers are weakest at dusk and dawn, but faeries will literally dissapate into thin air if stood under direct light of dawn.

I observed pictures in the book. Faeries, angels, demons and whatnot. I turned the page.

Weapons.

Faeries' weapons are usually made of vine, flowers, and the occansional steel. Vine is used to make blades, whips etc. The vine is modified so it is hard and would not break easily. Till now, this secret has been preserved and only weapon makers know this. The flowers are usually doused with poison and are used to throw at enemies at battle. These poisonous flowers, however, hardly affect the faeries at all. Steel weapons are usually shields and helmets.

Running my fingers over the pictures and words, I was about to flip the page when Minerva suddenly entered the library.

"Oh, Lola. Things are already prepared. Prepare for the feast, it's about time."

I nodded. Placing back the winged faerie book in its cabinet, I headed out of the library with Minerva behind me.

"Minerva, will the Change be scary?" I asked, worried.

She paused and pondered over this question for a moment. "Oh... Well, just follow whatever they ask you to, so long you obey them, it should be fine."

I nodded slowly, attempting to comprehend whatever she said. "Okay, thanks for the advice."

"No problem. Run along."

                                                                               ***

I changed and prepared for the Change coming up later. Since it was around dusk, and so there would be a feast first. Faeries' powers are weakest at dusk and dawn, but faeries will literally dissapate into thin air if stood under direct light of dawn.

"Minerva, I'm done, let's go."

"Alright."

                                                                                 ***

We walked towards the ceremony venue, with me asking her a few questions as we walked.

"Minerva, will the Change be tough? Is it scary? What will happen?"

She smiled. A small, wan smile. "Easy there, Lola. Personally I was not Changed, but it seemed difficult," My face fell. "But, it might be different in your case. Changes are not scary though. I have been to a few ceremonies and none of them freaked me out at all." She paused to see my reaction, then continued. "What will happen? Oh, you'll see." She grinned. "We're almost there," she said, pointing towards the colourfully-lighted ground a distance away. Music was playing and there were lots of people, faeries, to be exact. Tables of food can be seen, and there was an aroma of flowers. Minerva handed me a flower, which she called it a token. "Keep this throughout the night, you'll then be safe."

"Sheesh, my legs won't turn into stumps from dancing, seriously." 

She sighed. "It's for precaution. You're important, your legs oughtn't to turn into stumps, or else -"

"La la la la la! I can't hear you," I joked, earning myself a whack from Minerva. "Okay, fine! I'll keep the token and be a good girl. Come on, we're here." I took the token from Minerva and placed it in my pocket.

Her face changed from the light-hearted Minerva to a serious face. "Stay with me. Keep close." I nodded numbly and followed her.

Over a period of two hours, the ceremony was still all about eating and drinking plus crazy dancing and partying. Shouts and screams were practically so loud that it almost muffled the music. Faeries were all dancing together and having fun. I nudged Minerva. "The ceremony - ?"

"Yes, of course. I'll bring you to him."

My eyes widened. Who was this guy? Is he going to be a psychotic madman who's going to pump out all my blood and then pump in some faerie dust or something?  "Holy crap," I muttered. She shot a dirty look at me, and then we both made our way.

                                                                               ***

Dragging me by the arm, Minerva held my arm and handed me to this faerie also known as 'Synthague'. Cool name, I thought. But what would happen? Would it hurt? Would I magically evolve into a gigantic monster? Oh.My.God. My grip on her hand tightened, and my muscles tensed. Minerva gave me a reassuring squeeze on my shoulder, muttering,"Everything would be fine. Follow Synthague's instructions and be a good girl. Love you." With that she said a few words to the other faerie, then walked away.

Synthague looked at me. "Hmm, Lola eh?" I nodded in response. "Seventeen huh? Pretty short for your age though, but it isn't that bad. Oh well, the songs of blessing and all that have started singing now." I strained my ears to hear the faint sounds of the sweet melody. "Okay, come on, time to get up on that stage now. Come along." With that, I stood up, a hand in my pocket, with my finger running over the token that Minerva gave me as a reassurance. Everything would be fine, possibly awesome.

Without any sign of worry or anxiety, Synthague walked up on what he called a stage - or more of a small platform - and announced," May the Change begin!" The crowd whistled, cheered and clapped. Nervously, I walked onto the small platform and sat on the chair on the 'stage'. Faeries came around me, pumping out some of my blood and pumping in some faeries' blood as well. The whole process felt numb, it was as though you felt empty, then something warm and tingly enters your body, so you get the idea. There were small wings sprouting, and my skin grew paler.

The Change was short though - within minutes it was already over. "All right, ceremony's over, but party goes on!" Synthague boomed. The crowd cheered, then spreaded. Minerva came up to me on the platform.

"You okay? Not sick or whatever?"

I stared, words lost on my tongue. "I'm tired," was all I could manage. Minerva got the cue. She led me back home.

"No party?" Synthague asked.

"Party's over for the both of us," she told him, and we both headed home.